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Wildfire tears through New Forest heathland

Indy Almroth-WrightSouth of England
HIWFRS Firefighter holding hose spraying water onto a fire at a large area of heathland in the New Forest.HIWFRS
Firefighters from across Hampshire along with crews from Dorset were sent to the fire at Bagshot Moor, East Boldre

A wildfire in the New Forest has destroyed an area of heathland about the size of 21 football pitches.

The fire at Bagshot Moor in East Boldre, near Beaulieu, started at about 17:00 BST on Saturday, causing a large smoke plume that could be seen from the Isle of Wight about six miles (10km) away.

Eight crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue, along with firefighters from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, were sent to tackle the blaze.

The fire service said the blaze tore through about 15 hectares of heath and gorse before it was brought under control at about 19:30 and stopped a short time later.

Nearby residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed throughout Saturday evening.

HIWFRS Fire engine to the left of the picture and another in the distance on heathland where smoke can be seen rising due to a heath fire.HIWFRS
The fire service said crews were alerted to the heath fire after the control room received multiple emergency calls at about 17:00
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